The Come Up: GoldLink

The road for GoldLink has been extremely interesting to watch. Strategically within a span of a year, the DMV native has got a lot of important names in the industry watching him. For his first show at Electric Circus’ The Players Ball in NYC earlier this month, executives from Nas’ Mass Appeal Records and 300 representative Kevin Liles were in attendance. All of them were intrigued to see if the hype was really real.

GoldLink’s buzz can be traced back to August 2013. With a knack for social media strategies and efficient use of SoundCloud, the 21-year-old MC began his plan to takeover hip-hop by dropping heaters over the span of eight months. With little to no original music to his name yet (“Electric Relaxation” and “On & On” were solid buzzmakers), The Break alum went to work on reworking songs from Kendrick Lamar and TLC that got huge plays on SoundCloud. By the time “One Step Back” came out, fans were enamored.

Link released his free album, The God Complex, back in April. It’s easily one of the best projects of the year so far, with many media outlets like Complex and Beats Music co-signing his movement early on. There’s just something infectious about his music – the drum patterns in his beats are bouncy, while his lyrics trigger an emotional response. On top of that, Link just started rapping three years ago. Not bad for someone his age.

While in NY, GoldLink came by the XXL HQ to discuss how he never wanted to be a rapper, the making of The God Complex and if he is staying independent or not. It looks like the DMV produced another rapper to follow other than Fat Trel, Shy Glizzy and Wale. Get to know GoldLink in The Come Up.—Emmanuel C.M.